27. Serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.

Numbers 14:43   Because you have turned back from following the Lord, the Lord will not be with you.”

Judges 16:20    And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.

1 Chronicles 28:9     “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

2 Chronicles 15:2    “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

Isaiah 63:10    But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

I read these two quotes today;  Today there seems to be a high-affection for salvation and blessings from God and a  low commitment to live in line with His word.”  “Evangelicals today may not have self-consciously entered into a Halfway Covenant, but they only seek that which benefits them when in need, neglecting what it means to fully honor and obey God.”

Think about this for a moment. Low commitment and halfway covenant.  Do the words in these scriptures indicate in any way that God will tolerate a self choice to neglect and be complacent in our relationship with Him?  Will we not be held accountable.  Will we not be ever seeking and never finding that peace, rest and comfort found only in full commitment and obedience to God.  I am sure neglect and complacency of His word will not be overlooked.

It seems as though our lives get over run with worry and things of this world. This world can give no peace and therefore can not take it away. Peace the world offers is tied to that which cannot satisfy the heart and soul.  Searching for peace outside of God is like chasing the wind – (never caught – only a temporary sensory feeling – always changing direction).   “Peace” that comes from God, “Peace” that passes all understanding, is comforting and encouragement to the soul.  It strengthens us against the trials and troubles faced this side of eternity.  It gives courage to face each day with hope, trust, faith, and reliance in our Heavenly Father.

A halfway covenant, low commitment, neglect, and complacency will rob our heart, mind and soul of the presence of God in our life.

Let Him hear what the Spirit says

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says“

John 14:26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Psalms 51:11     Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Acts 1:8     But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 15:8    And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,

Acts 2:4    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

Acts 13:4    So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to

Acts 16:6     And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Acts 20:28     Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,

Romans 5:5     and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19     Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

2 Corinthians 13:14     The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Psalms 25:8     Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.  He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Isaiah 63:10     But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

Acts 7:51     “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.

We are not alone in our walk by faith this side of eternity.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe.  The Holy Spirit will guide us, lead us, teach us, bring us to knowledge, instruct us in our knowledge of God, convict us of sin, and bring us joy and peace.  Our christian walk is to be led by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of honoring and glorifying God. It is a humble heart that seeks to hear and be led.  However there is something to be mindful of –  Not listening and resisting this active leading in our life.  Filling your heart and mind with His word is food and fuel for our soul. Live humbly desiring and seeking to be led by God.  Joy, peace, strength, power, hope, and love result from this desire.